MoSJE Unveils Financial Incentive for Empowering Divyang Individuals
Rajesh Aggarwal, Secretary, Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities(DEPwD), under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJE), has announced a 1% interest rate rebate for divyang(Persons with Disabilities- PwDs) who receive financial support through the National Divyangjan Finance and Development Corporation (NDFDC).This aims to promote financial inclusion and foster economic empowerment among the divyangjan.
Key Points:
- This rebate under NDFDC loan is for timely repayment, and subject to specific terms and conditions
- This initiative highlights the Central Government’s goal is to make financial assistance more accessible and affordable for PwDs, and uplift and empower every section of society
- It will also reduce the financial burden on divyang individuals seeking financial assistance and encourage responsible repayment practices.
- NDFDC is the apex body channeling funds for economic development and self-employment for PwDs through State Channelizing Agencies (SCAs) and partner Banks appointed by State/UT Governments.
About National Divyangjan Finance and Development Corporation (NDFDC):
It is a Central Public Sector Undertaking (CPSU) under the aegis of DEPwDS, MoSJE.
Chairman-cum-Managing Director– Naveen Shah
Headquarters– New Delhi, Delhi
Establishment– 1997
Union Minister Piyush Goyal attended IPEF and APEC ministerial meeting in U.S.
Piyush Goyal, Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution and Textiles was on Four-day official visit to San Francisco,United States (U.S) from November 13-16,2023. His visit includes various official engagements of Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) and Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC).
Key Points:
- He participated in the 3rd in-person IPEF Ministerial meeting from November13-14, 2023.The MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) was signed between India and The U.S. during the roundtable titled “Decoding the “Innovation Handshake :U.S.-India Entrepreneurship Partnership” in San Francisco ,U.S
- Union Minister Piyush Goyal represented India at the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGII) – IPEF Investor Forum meeting on November16, 2023.
- Piyush Goyal, Union Minister also represented India at the APEC Economic Leadership Engagements from 15-16 November, 2023. India has been invited to the 30th APEC Economic Leaders Meeting 2023 as a Guest Economy.
About: U.S.A (United States of America)
President: Joe Biden
Capital: Washington D.C.
Currency: U.S. Dollar
About: Ministry of Commerce and Industry
Union Minister – Piyush Goyal(Rajya Sabha member from Maharashtra)
MoS(Minister of State) – Anupriya Patel, Som Prakash
51st International Emmy® Awards: India’s Vir Das wins Emmy for Comedy & Ektaa Kapoor wins Directorate Award
On 20th November 2023, The International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences announced the winners of the 51st International Emmy® Awards (2023) in New York City, United States of America(USA).
- Indian Comedian and actor Vir Das won the Emmy under the Comedy category for his Netflix stand-up special show “Vir Das: Landing”.With this, he became the first Indian Comedian to win the Emmy Award
- Ektaa R. Kapoor, Co-Founder of Balaji Telefilms was honoured with the International Emmy Directorate Award for her contribution to the world of arts and entertainment.She became the first Indian Woman Filmmaker to win the Directorate Award
About International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences:
President & Chief Executive Officer(CEO)– Bruce Paisner
Established in –1969
Headquarters– New York City, United States
BrainAlive Co-Founder Sujit Roy Wins NASA Impact Planet Award 2023
- Sujit Roy, Co-Founder of Noida(Uttar Pradesh) based BrainAlive Research Pvt. Ltd., was honoured with National Aeronautics and Space Administration(NASA) Implementation and Advanced Concepts Team(IMPACT) Planet Award 2023 for his outstanding contribution to the Geospatial artificial intelligence (AI) Foundation Model project
- NASA and IBM Research collaborated to create NASA’s first open-source geospatial AI foundation model for Earth observation data. Sujit Roy was part of the NASA’s research team
- The HLS Geospatial Foundation Model (HLS Geospatial FM) in the application of AI for Earth science has a wide range potential applications, including monitoring natural disasters and predicting agriculture harvests.
- Sujit Roy has Research and development (R&D) experience in Machine Learning and Computational Neuroscience in global research organizations like NASA Impact and University of Manchester(United Kingdom).
- BrainAlive AI is an AI Engine that converts raw interaction data into real-time user engagement insights using a data transformation approach.
ACC Approves Appointment of Vinay M Tonse as MD of SBI
Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) headed by Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi, has approved the appointment of Vinay M Tonse as the Managing Director (MD) of State Bank of India (SBI) for two years till November 2025.Prior to this appointment, Vinay Tonse was serving as the Deputy MD (Corporate Account Group) of SBI
Key points:
- Vinay M Tonse was recommended to the post by Financial Services Institutions Bureau (FSIB) in September 2023.
- The post (MD of SBI) fell vacant in June 2023 after the appointment of Swaminathan Janakiraman as Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank of India(RBI).
About State Bank of India (SBI):
Chairman– Dinesh Kumar Khara
Headquarters– Mumbai, Maharashtra
Establishment – 1955
Indian Navy Launched 4th MCA Barge, LSAM 10 (YARD 78) at M/s SEPPL in AP
On 20th November 2023, Indian Navy (IN) launched the Missile Cum Ammunition (MCA) Barge, LSAM 10 (Yard 78), the 4th vessel in the 08 x MCA Barge project, at Guttenadeevi, East Godavari, AndhraPradesh(AP).The launching Ceremony was presided over by Cmde Shanmugam Sabesan, CRO (East).The barge was built by the Micro, Small & Medium Enterprise (MSME) Shipyard, M/s SECON Engineering Projects Pvt Ltd (SEPPL), Visakhapatnam(AP)
Key Points:
- The availability of these Barges would provide impetus to the operational commitments of IN by facilitating Transportation, Embarkation, and Disembarkation of articles/ ammunition to IN Ships both alongside jetties and at outer harbours
- These Barges are indigenously designed and built under relevant Naval Rules and Regulations of the Indian Register of Shipping (IRS).
- The model testing of the Barge during the design stage was undertaken at the Naval Science and Technological Laboratory (NSTL), Visakhapatnam.
About Ministry of Defence (MoD):
Union Minister– Raj Nath Singh (Constituency- Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh)
Minister of State– Ajay Bhatt
World Fisheries Day 2023 – November 21
World Fisheries Day is annually observed across the globe on 21st November to demonstrate solidarity withthe members of the fisher community, fish farmers and concerned stakeholders across the world.21st November 2023 marks the 26th World Fisheries Day.The theme for World Fisheries Day 2023 is “Celebrating the Wealth of Fisheries and Aquaculture.”
Key Points:
- On 21st November 1997, the working fishermen and women representing World Forum of Fish Harvesters & Fish Workers met at New Delhi, Delhi and established the World Fisheries Forum (WFF).
- To commemorate this day, the 21st November of every year is observed as World Fisheries Day.The first ever World Fisheries Day was observed on 21st November 1998.
About Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying:
Union Minister – Parshottam Rupala (Rajya Sabha- Gujarat )Minister of State (MoS) – Sanjeev Kumar Balyan; L. Murugan
World Television Day 2023 – November 21
United Nations (UN)’s World Television Day is annually observed across the globe on November 21 torecognise the importance and influence of television in our lives.The day recognises television as a symbol for communication and globalisation in the contemporary world.21st November 2023 marks the observance of 27th World Television Day.The theme for World Television Day 2023 is “Accessibility”
Key Points:
- On 17th December 1996, UN General Assembly (UNGA) adopted the resolution A/RES/51/205 and proclaimed November 21 of every year as World Television Day
- The first ever world television day was observed on 21st November 1997.
About the United Nations (UN):
Secretary-General – Antonio Guterres
Headquarters – New York, United States of America (USA)
Establishment – 1945
World Heritage Week 2023- November 19 to 25World Heritage Week (WHW) is annually observed across India from November 19 to 25 to promote
- the heritage and the culture of monuments and important sites for their conservation.
- WHW events are annually organised by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) under the Ministry of Culture, various Museums, and other heritage-conscious organisations across India.
- WHW recognise and celebrate heritage sites recognised by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
- In India, WHW is a part of the promotion activities by the Government of India (GoI) to promote India’s unique heritage for the benefit of present and future generations.UNESCO’s World Heritage Day or International Day for Monuments and Sites is annually observed across the globe on April 18. The theme of World Heritage Day 2023 is “Heritage Changes”
About Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)
Director- General– Prof. Kishore K. Basa
Headquarters– New Delhi, Delhi
Established in– 1861
UP Govt Signed CSIR & DRDO as Knowledge Partners for Bulk Drugs Park in Lalitpur
Uttar Pradesh (UP) government has collaborated with institutions like the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) as knowledge partners to incorporate the proposed Bulk Drugs Park in Lalitpur district, UP.Bulk Drugs Park in Lalitpur aims to integrate technology along with research and innovation to provide high-quality and affordable medicines and medical devices.The UP govt has signed a Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) with 43 labs of CSIR and 46 labs of DRDO, where research work will be done to manufacture affordable medicines.
Objective:
The collaboration aims to enhance research and innovation in the medical sector and will further enable the development of innovative devices through new technology, allowing for quick diagnosis of serious illnesses and ensuring proper treatment.
Key Points:
- Under the vision of the UP govt, Bulk Drugs Park is composed to meet international standards, ensuring affordable healthcare solutions not just for India but for 196 countries globally.
- The UP govt has organised an Investors Connect webinar and signed MoUs with around 1,500 stakeholders to make UP a hub for the medical sector with the latest technology.
About Uttar Pradesh:
Chief Minister– Yogi Adityanath
Governor– Anandiben Patel
Stadiums– Amitabh Bachchan Sports Stadium (Indoor) and Maharani Ahilyabai Holkar Sports Stadium (Outdoor)